In year on Twitter, politics key

Twitter proved as vital to political news this election cycle as any other medium, and the micro-blogging site has put out a look back at 2012 — with the presidential race taking center stage.

In its look back, Twitter showed a bit of gratitude toward the president by highlighting the fact that “After being re-elected President, Barack Obama took to Twitter to thank voters, even before he took the stage for his post-election speech,” the company wrote on its year-end site. They also liked the fact that, “During the State of the Union address in January, NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco tweeted an observation to House Speaker John Boehner. Their friendly exchange traversed their respective worlds.”

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Elsewhere in the world of politics, Twitter highlighted this year’s debate between Planned Parenthood and the Komen for the Cure as having demonstrated Twitter’s influence.

“Breast cancer charity Komen for the Cure sparked a massive protest on Twitter after the group announced in January it would no longer make cancer-screening grants to Planned Parenthood. The outpouring of comments generally supportive of Planned Parenthood filled Twitter streams and sparked a much larger national debate on the issues surrounding the decision.”

And, of course, you can’t talk politics and Twitter without talking about Cory Booker, the Newark mayor who has become a Twitter sensation.

“Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker is known for communicating with residents on Twitter, and even better known for responding quickly. During superstorm Sandy, Booker not only let victims stay at his home; he arranged for a steady supply of a favorite local snack: Hot Pockets.”